Just bought a 2004 F150 SCREW a week ago. I love the truck, but HATE the fuel consumption. The window stick say 15 MPG city. I wonder if Ford had the engine running when they did this test. I get 12.3 MPG down hill with a tail wind. Has anybody out there been able to increase their MPG cost effectively. Does the K&N cold air intake actually increase MPG?? The EMS constantly measures fuel to air ratios, so I would assume that it would adjust the mixture according to what the oxygen sensors tell it. In other words, the computer would compensate for any changes done with the intake...

Help me,

Chuck

 

I assume you have a 4x4. I have the FX4 supercab 4x4 and that is around what I get for in town driving and I haven't checked for just highway driving. All in all I get around an average of 13 mpg. That is about the only thing I can think of that I hate about the truck. As far as the intake not sure. I am considering the Airaid intake but I am still researching. Good Luck

 

You might consider adding a bed cover to improve the aerodynamics, and I have seen several posts on here indicating that after about 4K miles of break-in, the mileage goes up 1-1.5 mpg. I would not bet on it getting much better than that. The EPA ratings are determined under very controlled conditions and does not mirror how most people drive, i.e. highway speeds of no more than 55, no fast starts...

 

Welcome to FTE cbotwin. Which motor do you have? Do you have the latest computer program loaded into it? I can vouch for the Superchips Microtuner. It turned my truck into a totally different beast. The throttle lag dissapeared, and my gas mileage improved. I also installed one on my fathers 04 V10, and he gained 2mpg immediately.


Rich

 

Guys,


My SCREW is a 2WD 5.4. Tell me more about this chip tuner please.

Chuck

 

I got 12mpg the first tank, 10mpg the second tank and after that it's been averaging 14mpg in the city. I got 18mpg on a very hilly highway. I'm suprised no one's mentioned this but you won't get the accurate fuel economy of the truck for the first 1,000 miles, if you read on page 246 of the manual, you'll see more info on this.

One other thing... I know gas prices are high but what else is new? I knew this when I bought my truck. Gas comsuption was a big change for me from a vehicle that got 24mpg. Not worrying about it allows you to enjoy your truck a lot more. In the 2 months I've had my truck I've spend $440 in gas... but ITS A TRUCK, I'm happy.

 

Don't you have to use premium now?

 

Not necessarily Rancheroracer. There are two settings with the tuner (87 octane, and 91+). Both provide great performances over stock. The 87 tune eleviates the nasty throttle lag that some of us have, and does provide some added power. The 91+ obviously gives you the same performance that the lower tune does, but adds more horses.

cbotwin, I neglected the fact that you just picked this truck up. You definately need to wait till the 1000+ mark, before taking a good look at your mileage. What you see now isnt necessarily what you will get later on.


Rich

 

Have you considered going up a grade with your gas? Ever since my family started using Shell Premium (we have an 02' crown vic, an 01' ranger 4x4, an 02' BMW M3, and hopefully soon a 05' f-150/250 (if im lucky, ill get a 250) and the difference makes up for the cost of the gas.

 

Good point Oakley. Even though Ford "recommends" we use regular, I have found that it just doesnt cut it (unless you are running an altered computer program....ala Superchips). The difference is normally night and day. My last bronco was especially finicky about octane rating.

 

Thanks, WheelMA1, good info.

 

Who out there is using the Super chip in their 04 F150?? What was their experience. I'm not looking for horses, just better fuel economy. Using higher octane gas will give me better fuel mileage??

Chuck

 

cbotwin, https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=265618

Its the first "READ ME FIRST" on the main page of the 2004 - 2005 Ford F150 forum.

 

I am running the 91+ tune in my 5.4 3.73 ls scab.

I averaged 14.9 in the stock setting and now with high test 17.4. This is 50% highway and the rest back roads and city...It about breaks even in the wallet but the preformance gains are great. Not a real lot but worth it. I have seen 20.2 on dry cool days with a small tail wind keeping it at 60-65 and staying smooth on the throttle.

 

I have a 5.4 3.73 s/crew 2wd 305/55/20r tires and wheels and get about 14.5mpg on highway and some days its 17mpg